# Tony Blair = Superman ???? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 3, 2001, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tony-blair-superman/85141 "2001-10-03T06:58:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![vex77](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/c4cdca/32.png) [@vex77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vex77)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2001, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tony-blair-superman/85141/1 "2001-10-03T06:58:43Z")
Is it me or is this guy just awsome? I mean, did you guys watch his speech this morning? I have to say it was one of the best speeches I have heard since this whole thing started. I know that the UK lost citizens in the attack but for him to take such a strong stance with the US really impressed me. And it really seemed like he was talking from the heart and not from a piece of paper sitting in front of him. Im glad the Brits are on our side. šŸ˜ƒ PS - Forget Dick Chenney, lets get this guy for Vice President. šŸ˜› ---
**Author:** ![robgruver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@robgruver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robgruver)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2001, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tony-blair-superman/85141/2 "2001-10-03T07:13:04Z")
I agree totally. Tony Blair is a great orator, and Prime Minister to his people. I salute Britan, Mr. Blair, and the people of Britan for supporting the United States during this time. ---
**Author:** ![Baraqiyal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecccb3/32.png) [@Baraqiyal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baraqiyal)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2001, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tony-blair-superman/85141/3 "2001-10-03T09:37:47Z")
When I watched his speech, I was surprised by how much interest he takes in foreign policy ā€“ Itā€™s not what Iā€™d expect from the Labor Party leader. He wants to fix Africa, bring peace to the Middle East, end terrorism, and had several other lofty goals. If nothing else, heā€™s ambitious. I agree heā€™s a class act. ---
**Author:** ![Francesca](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9fc348/32.png) [@Francesca](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Francesca)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2001, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tony-blair-superman/85141/4 "2001-10-03T10:04:55Z")
For those that are interested, the full text of the speech can be read [here](http://politics.guardian.co.uk/labour2001/story/0,1414,562006,00.html). It makes me proud to be British. Iā€™m a Blairite through and through. ---
**Author:** ![DAVEW0071](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e19b73/32.png) [@DAVEW0071](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DAVEW0071)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2001, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tony-blair-superman/85141/5 "2001-10-03T11:40:49Z")
I only heard sound bites on the radio news during the day, but he really nailed it when he said, ā€œWhatever the dangers of the action we take, the dangers of inaction are far, far greater.ā€ Thatā€™s exactly what Iā€™ve concluded, especially after hearing about all the demonstrations against our taking action. Few people actively want war. But when your back is pushed against the wall, what alternatives are there? I think Bush and Blair both understand this, and I am so pleased that Britain is both our ally and our friend. Thanks, Limeys! šŸ˜ƒ ---
**Author:** ![Tansu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/67e7ee/32.png) [@Tansu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tansu)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2001, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tony-blair-superman/85141/6 "2001-10-03T12:37:02Z")
Iā€™m not usually the greatest fan of Tony Blairā€™s style (although Iā€™m centre-left politically), but damn, that was a good speech. He was visionary without preaching. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2001, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tony-blair-superman/85141/7 "2001-10-03T12:54:20Z")
The excerpts I heard/saw are great. Anyone got a link to the full text? ---
**Author:** ![Francesca](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9fc348/32.png) [@Francesca](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Francesca)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2001, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tony-blair-superman/85141/8 "2001-10-03T12:56:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Dinsdale \* > \*\*The excerpts I heard/saw are great. Anyone got a link to the full text? \*\* Look upā€¦oooooohā€¦ 3 posts šŸ˜‰ ---
**Author:** ![Andy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/aeb1de/32.png) [@Andy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2001, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tony-blair-superman/85141/9 "2001-10-03T13:25:34Z")
I hate the mother f\*\*\*\*\*, and great speaker or not, Iā€™d still slit his throat without batting an eyelid. Did I just say thatā€¦? šŸ˜‰ ---
**Author:** ![PaperBlob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/58956e/32.png) [@PaperBlob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PaperBlob)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2001, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tony-blair-superman/85141/10 "2001-10-03T14:39:38Z")
What **vex77** and **robgruver** said. I saw it on Nightline last night. If someone else hadnā€™t started this thread, I would have, and I pretty much just lurk. I was blown away by his words, his skill as an orator, and the obvious emotion behind it all. And thanks to **Francesca** for the link - Iā€™ll be e-mailing parts of that speech to everyone I know. ---
**Author:** ![niwroc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/34f0e0/32.png) [@niwroc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/niwroc)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2001, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tony-blair-superman/85141/11 "2001-10-03T14:56:21Z")
I agree with all the positive statements made on this thread about Blair. He impressed me when he was in DC recently, supporting the U.S. But this speech really caught my attention. Very powerful. Thanks for the text link, Francesca. ---
**Author:** ![Caldazar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Caldazar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caldazar)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2001, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tony-blair-superman/85141/12 "2001-10-03T17:27:47Z")
The BBC also has a RealMedia copy of Blairā€™s speech online at: [http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/cta/events01/ukpol/lab/conf/blair02oct.ram](http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/cta/events01/ukpol/lab/conf/blair02oct.ram) Impressive doesnā€™t even begin to describe my thoughts on the speech. His ideas are certainly very ambitious; Iā€™ll be very interested to see his level of success in carrying out his ideas. ---
**Author:** ![psiekier](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psiekier/32/116_2.png) [@psiekier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psiekier)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2001, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tony-blair-superman/85141/13 "2001-10-03T17:43:18Z")
ā€¦ and here I was going to correct you; it was former PM John Major who looks like Clark Kent (as played by Christoper Reeve), and not Tony Blair. It was a great speech, wasnā€™t it? ---
**Author:** ![Blackclaw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e68b1a/32.png) [@Blackclaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackclaw)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2001, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tony-blair-superman/85141/14 "2001-10-03T18:56:16Z")
I have the deepest admiration of Great Britain. Their leaderā€™s steadfastness in helping guide my nation through this terrible time has been invaluable. ---
**Author:** ![Chez\_Guevara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/aeb1de/32.png) [@Chez\_Guevara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chez_Guevara)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2001, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tony-blair-superman/85141/15 "2001-10-04T16:54:48Z")
In the interests of balance, I give you [Matthew Parris](http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,2-2001342438,00.html), parliamentary sketch writer for _The Times_ newspaper. Mr. Parrisā€™s views on Tony Blairā€™s speech have not been universally well received. In fact, Mr. Parrisā€™s opinions on many subjects are open to question in many quarters. Nevertheless Mr. Parris, and others of his ilk, are part of the system of checks and balances which are so important in the British political system. Whereas most people do not mind Mr. Blair moving forward with unquestioning belief in his own rhetoric, it would be a grave situation where everybody in the country accepted his words and deeds without demur. My own opinion of Mr. Blairā€™s speech lies somewhere between that of Mr. Parris and that of Mr. Blair himself. Itā€™s tough being Libran. You have _balance_ on the brain. šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![Blackclaw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e68b1a/32.png) [@Blackclaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackclaw)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2001, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tony-blair-superman/85141/16 "2001-10-04T17:21:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Nostradamus \* > \*\*In the interests of balance, I give you [Matthew Parris](http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,2-2001342438,00.html), parliamentary sketch writer for _The Times_ newspaper. > > Mr. Parrisā€™s views on Tony Blairā€™s speech have not been universally well received. In fact, Mr. Parrisā€™s opinions on many subjects are open to question in many quarters. > > Nevertheless Mr. Parris, and others of his ilk, are part of the system of checks and balances which are so important in the British political system. Whereas most people do not mind Mr. Blair moving forward with unquestioning belief in his own rhetoric, it would be a grave situation where everybody in the country accepted his words and deeds without demur. > > My own opinion of Mr. Blairā€™s speech lies somewhere between that of Mr. Parris and that of Mr. Blair himself. > > Itā€™s tough being Libran. You have _balance_ on the brain. šŸ™‚ \*\* Well I think Mr. Parris is a big [WARNING Blackclaw, you are not in the pit.] umā€¦ meanie. Heā€™s a well written one though. And I undertand his point. Clearly, we must choose our battles carefully, but there still is a more active role that the West should play. We can also win most of these battles not with troops, but with intelligence, diplomacy, and economic aid. Iā€™m hopeful that the places where some measure of force is required, such as Afghanistan, are few and far between. ---
**Author:** ![vanilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f19dbf/32.png) [@vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanilla)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2001, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tony-blair-superman/85141/17 "2001-10-05T13:58:12Z")
Heā€™s pretty handsome too